as in detectives
a person not on the police force who investigates criminal or illicit activity or searches for missing persons
the popular TV sleuth lives a much more action-packed life than do his real-world counterparts
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Recent Examples of sleuths
From galaxy rotation curves that defy Newton's laws to gravitational lensing that bends light in eerie ways, scientists have been piecing together clues about dark matter like interstellar sleuths.
—
Kenna Hughes-Castleberry, Space.com, 4 Nov. 2025
Internet sleuths quickly found the quote had come from a post referencing when Tara Wolf, a trans woman (misgendered by Rowling in her reply), was accused of assaulting Maria MacLachlan who was at an anti-trans protest in 2017.
—Quispe López, Them., 30 Oct. 2025
Though there's been no formal tour announcement, online sleuths are putting two and two together.
—Audrey Gibbs, Nashville Tennessean, 29 Oct. 2025
The video went viral, internet sleuths did their thing, and their identities were splashed across every gossip rag in town.
—Carolyn Burt, Oc Register, 28 Oct. 2025
Craig Silverman and Alexios Mantzarlis, two other internet sleuths who’ve covered similar issues, launched their own independent outlet, Indicator, earlier this year, as Semafor scooped.
—Max Tani, semafor.com, 27 Oct. 2025
Amateur sleuths and podcasters Charles, Oliver and Mabel would feel right at home in a historic European building since their beloved Arconia has that feel with its Italian Renaissance Revival style.
—Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 27 Oct. 2025
The Adelsons’ involvement in the murder case’s tangled web has riveted those in the state capital — and thousands of internet true crime sleuths — for nearly a decade.
—Grethel Aguila, Miami Herald, 15 Oct. 2025
At the same time, social media sleuths shared inaccurate information and a man was detained after allegedly trying to drive through a barricade near the church.
—Dave Boucher, Freep.com, 29 Sep. 2025
Kenna Hughes-Castleberry, Space.com, 4 Nov. 2025
Internet sleuths quickly found the quote had come from a post referencing when Tara Wolf, a trans woman (misgendered by Rowling in her reply), was accused of assaulting Maria MacLachlan who was at an anti-trans protest in 2017.
—Quispe López, Them., 30 Oct. 2025
Though there's been no formal tour announcement, online sleuths are putting two and two together.
—Audrey Gibbs, Nashville Tennessean, 29 Oct. 2025
The video went viral, internet sleuths did their thing, and their identities were splashed across every gossip rag in town.
—Carolyn Burt, Oc Register, 28 Oct. 2025
Craig Silverman and Alexios Mantzarlis, two other internet sleuths who’ve covered similar issues, launched their own independent outlet, Indicator, earlier this year, as Semafor scooped.
—Max Tani, semafor.com, 27 Oct. 2025
Amateur sleuths and podcasters Charles, Oliver and Mabel would feel right at home in a historic European building since their beloved Arconia has that feel with its Italian Renaissance Revival style.
—Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 27 Oct. 2025
The Adelsons’ involvement in the murder case’s tangled web has riveted those in the state capital — and thousands of internet true crime sleuths — for nearly a decade.
—Grethel Aguila, Miami Herald, 15 Oct. 2025
At the same time, social media sleuths shared inaccurate information and a man was detained after allegedly trying to drive through a barricade near the church.
—Dave Boucher, Freep.com, 29 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sleuths
Noun
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California detectives alerted Miami Gardens Police, and law enforcement from several agencies began assembling to arrest Clayton.—
Devoun Cetoute,
Miami Herald,
5 Nov. 2025
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The ongoing investigation is being led by Detective Travis Dalton, with assistance from other Post 4 detectives and troopers, the Meade County Sheriff’s Office and the Meade County Coroner’s Office.—
Lillian Metzmeier,
Louisville Courier Journal,
4 Nov. 2025
Noun
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Fox wasn't interviewed at the time, Smyth said, adding that investigators at first focused on a dispute between Jackson and his landlord.—
Emily Shapiro,
ABC News,
11 Nov. 2025
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The driver immediately stopped, stayed at the scene and cooperated with investigators, police said.—
Shambhavi Rimal,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
11 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Sleuths.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sleuths. Accessed 18 Nov. 2025.
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